Don't miss our 2024 event! We'll be in Fort Worth, TX from November 11-13. Register early and save.

 

2023 Agenda 

WCF includes the topics women tell us they need most, along with our hallmark networking and relationship-building activities. Whether you’re just starting out or have been 'at the table' for years, you’ll find a home at Women in Consumer Finance.

 

Please not that this agenda is from our 2023 event. It will give you an idea of what to expect when you attend. Our 2024 schedule will be released later in the year.

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Our optional, pre-conference activities will help get your WCF experience kicked off before we officially begin. These activities are a unique, fun way to meet and bond with fellow attendees, take in the local scenery, and get your mind focused for the professional development to come. See the options here.

12:30 – 2 PM

Open Time for Networking

12:30 – 2 PM

Chat with a partner by the pool, join a colleague at the spa, or join friends for lunch.

2 – 3:15 PM

Meet Your Team

2 – 3:15 PM

To kick things off, you’ll meet your team. You’ll learn more about each other's challenges, goals, and ambitions. The bonds you start forming here will continue to build over your time together. 

Team experiences sponsored by Spring Oaks Capital

3:30 – 4 PM

Official WCF Welcome

3:30 – 4 PM

WCF Co-Founder and CEO, Stephanie Eidelman, will officially get the conference started, set the stage, and give you a rundown of what to expect over the next few days.

4 – 4:30 PM

Inspirational Keynote

4 – 4:30 PM

As the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, an investing platform that helps women build and manage their wealth, Sallie Krawcheck’s professional mission is to get more money in the hands of women. She is a Wall Street trailblazer with nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry. Sallie has led Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, and Citi Wealth Management as CEO, and Citi as CFO. She’s been named “The Last Honest Analyst” by Fortune and one of the “Most Influential Women in Finance” by Barron’s. 

 

Sponsored by GDS Link

4:30 – 5:10 PM

Our Stories

4:30 – 5:10 PM

Inspiring women will take the stage to share their stories of challenge, heartbreak, and perseverance. It’s one of the most loved and emotional parts of the conference. Literal tears are shed by the audience, so bring your box of tissues. And your notebooks, because there's no shortage of wisdom and lessons learned.

Speakers: Cassandra Hurst, Lisa Fischer, Jessica Klander

5:10 – 6:30 PM

Networking Reception

5:10 – 6:30 PM

Join your team and fellow attendees for some networking over drinks.

6:30 PM

If you're participating in our team experience (a must for first-timers), your team leader will make plans for you and your group to get dinner together (note: this one's "dutch treat," so everyone pays their own way). If not, make a reservation at one of the great local restaurants with friends. Both on and off-site options are available.

Team experiences sponsored by Spring Oaks Capital

After dinner

The Place is the bar right in the center of it all at the Esmeralda, and just outside the doors you'll find fabulous places to hang out around the fire pit. Take this opportunity to deepen your relationships in a casual atmosphere without worrying about kids, spouses, or other distractions. 

7:15 – 8:30 AM

8 – 8:20 AM

Optional Morning Mindfulness Session

8 – 8:20 AM

Slow down and clear your mind before you start your day. This mindfulness session will allow you to set intentions for the day and get into the perfect headspace to work on yourself.

Speaker: Marisa Thomas

8:30 – 9:45 AM

How to Make Your Voice Heard

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for emerging – experienced leaders)

This workshop is designed to help emerging and mid-career leaders effectively articulate their ideas, assert themselves in meetings, and communicate confidently with colleagues and superiors. We’ll address common challenges, such as being the only woman in the room, and subtle forms of discrimination and bias, such as being interrupted or talked over in meetings, being asked to take notes, or being given less strategic assignments than male colleagues. You’ll leave the session with actionable tips to implement now and a plan to address your opportunities for improvement.

Speakers: Marlene Fuller, Carri McQuerrey-Funk

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Moving from Transactional Communications to Transformational Connections

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for experienced leaders)

Transformational exchanges occur between individuals at any stage of a relationship and empower, enlighten, evoke a vision, or advance BOTH parties' agendas, personally and professionally. Learn how to give and get the most out of every relationship. Do you know what you have to offer and what you have to gain? Do you know, and are you practicing, the boundaries required to succeed in your relationships? Are you capable of maintaining the connection? We'll answer these questions and more!

Speakers: Rebekah Luebcke, Lisa Rozzelle

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Listening is the Secret to Effective Communication. But Why is it So Hard?

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for all levels)

We know instinctively that there are significant benefits to effective listening, such as improved communication, better relationships, and increased empathy. But so many of us have trouble actually doing it. This workshop will explore the neuroscience of listening, the barriers to effective listening and how to overcome them, and specific active listening skills. You’ll leave with the tools necessary to listen more deeply and enhance your personal and professional life.

Speakers: Cassandra Hurst, Della Franklin

8:30 – 9:45 AM

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for experienced/mid-career leaders)

This workshop is designed to help those feeling stuck, unchallenged, or disengaged. It will help you to rediscover a passion for your work and find ways to grow and thrive in your current environment. We’ll cover strategies for identifying your most energizing work, where your interests lie, and what skills you may desire to develop, as well as techniques for increasing engagement and satisfaction with your current job. The goal is to help attendees find new opportunities for growth and fulfillment in their careers while remaining committed to their current organization.

Speaker: Suzanne Currier

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Let's Write Your Next Chapter

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for executive leaders or experienced professionals in the later career stages or approaching retirement)

Do you have more of your career behind you than ahead? At a place in your life or career where you’re rethinking what your career looks like?  If you find yourself thinking about the mark you’ve made and considering what you still want to accomplish, whether you’ve got your eye on a big career move, you’re ready to sit on a board or engage in philanthropy, or ready to retire but want to remain professionally relevant, we’ll help each other clarify our dreams and chart the path forward.

Speaker: Sherry Jordana

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Roundtable: The Challenges of Business Ownership

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for business owners)

This is an opportunity to gather with WCF attendees who are business owners and share challenges and solutions around growth, strategy, operations, leadership, culture and more. This session will be led by one of your peers, and will have a loose agenda that allows primarily for addressing your top of mind issues.

Speaker: Aleks Whitchurch

9:45 – 10:15 AM

Networking Break

9:45 – 10:15 AM

10:15 – 11:30 AM

Influencing at the Executive Level

10:15 – 11:30 AM

(for experienced – executive leaders)

This workshop is designed to help those already at the senior management or executive level develop a stronger executive presence. Whether you need to present to the board, speak on a conference panel or podcast, or influence a broad organizational decision, you’ll learn how to communicate with impact, both verbally and non-verbally, to engage and inspire your audience. Gain insights into your own strengths and areas for improvement and develop a plan for honing your executive presence.

Speaker: Sherry Jordana

10:15 – 11:30 AM

Managing across Life Stages and Locations

10:15 – 11:30 AM

(for all levels)

In today's world, leaders face the challenge of managing employees from different generations and life stages, and in different locations. This workshop will boost your confidence to manage a diverse and dispersed workforce effectively. You’ll learn how to acknowledge the different life stages, backgrounds, and values among your team and how to leverage this diversity to enhance teamwork, collaboration, and innovation.

Speakers: Paige Corin, Rachel Auerbach

10:15 – 11:30 AM

Recognizing Unconscious Bias and What to Do about It

10:15 – 11:30 AM

(for all levels)

We’ve covered the topic of recognizing unconscious bias at WCF before; We know the impact it can have on culture and on company performance. But what to do about it? In this workshop, we’ll focus on practical steps managers and leaders can take to identify and address unconscious bias and mitigate its negative effects. You’ll leave with tools you can use to take action right away and also to work with your team to enhance understanding of this important topic and how to continuously improve the culture at your organization.

Speaker: Crystal Walker

10:15 – 11:30 AM

How to Create a Positive Succession Plan

10:15 – 11:30 AM

(for executive leaders)

Succession planning not only ensures the organization's long-term success and sustainability but also provides opportunities for those moving on and those moving up. In this workshop, we'll explore the elements of a successful succession planning program, including identifying key positions and individuals within the organization, assessing their readiness for leadership roles, and developing and implementing a plan for grooming them for future leadership roles. We'll also talk about the importance of communication and transparency in the succession planning process, both for the individuals being developed and the rest of the organization.

Speakers: Tonia Brown, Nidhi Daga

10:15 AM – 11:30 PM

10:15 AM – 11:30 PM

(for all levels)

Money is our #1 source of stress, and it has an outsized impact on our futures and overall well-being. Data shows that when we take command of our money, it can become a driver of confidence. In this workshop, you'll learn tools to take control of your finances and achieve long-term financial security. It will be led by Ashley Bleckner, a private wealth advisor from Ellevest - the only financial company founded by, funded by, built by, and built for women.

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM

12:45 – 1:25 PM

Our Stories

12:45 – 1:25 PM

Get ready for Round 2! Inspiring women take the stage to share their stories of challenge, heartbreak, and perseverance. It’s one of the most loved and emotional parts of the conference. Literal tears are shed by the audience, so bring your box of tissues. And also your notebooks, because there's more wisdom and lessons learned that you'll want to remember.

Speakers: Lynn Reynolds, Dorothia Allen-Taylor, Nia Rose

1:25 – 1:55 PM

Fireside Chat

1:25 – 1:55 PM

Hosted by Amy Anuk, formerly a member of the executive leadership team at Encore Capital Group and now a mentor to and investor in women-led companies, this chat features a powerhouse panel of senior women and their stories of challenge and achievement in the consumer finance industry.

Speakers: Amy Anuk, Melinda McBride, Yolanda Schufford, Marisa Calderon

Sponsored by Crown Asset Management

2:20 – 3:30 PM

Trivia Smackdown

2:20 – 3:30 PM

Who doesn't love a little friendly competition? Get ready for a trivia showdown. Compete with your team, or if you're not on a "Whole Shebang" team, you can play with other trivia lovers. You'll vie for the official - huge - WCF trivia trophy...and bragging rights for a year.

Team experiences sponsored by Spring Oaks Capital

3:30 – 4 PM

Break

3:30 – 4 PM

4 – 5:15 PM

Structured Networking Activity

4 – 5:15 PM

This activity will allow you to meet even more fellow WCF participants. Our structured networking event is the perfect opportunity to connect with women beyond your small team.

Choose between 3 options:

1) Traditional (with a WCF twist) speed networking

2) Roundtables by personal affinity

3) Roundtables by professional role

5:15 – 6:30 PM

Break

5:15 – 6:30 PM

6:30 – 9 PM

Dinner & Dancing

6:30 – 9 PM

After a long day of self-work and professional development, it's time to let loose. Have a meal with your new friends and then join them on the dance floor (this dinner is included in your registration fee).

Sponsored by National Debt Holdings

9-11 PM

NEW for 2023 - Sing your heart out with your new friends before you call it a night. (This is, of course, an optional activity for those who prefer to preserve their voices for solo car rides.)

Sponsored by DebtNext Software

7:15 – 8:30 AM

8 – 8:20 AM

Optional Morning Mindfulness Session

8 – 8:20 AM

Slow down and clear your mind before you start your day. This mindfulness session will allow you to set intentions for the day and get into the perfect headspace to work on yourself.

Speaker: Marisa Thomas

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Navigating Work and Maintaining Your Mental Health & Wellness

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for emerging leaders)

This workshop will offer practical tools and strategies to help manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a healthy balance. We will cover mindfulness techniques and other stress reduction strategies that you can use to cope with personal and professional demands. Additionally, we will explore ways to establish healthy boundaries, set realistic goals, and manage your time effectively.

Speakers: Danielle Banner, Amy Lanning, Cayla-Simone Riggs

Sponsored by Moss & Barnett

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Managing Your Team in the Context of Mental Health

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for experienced leaders)

Today’s environment demands that leaders must not only attend to their own well-being but also the mental health of their team members, and few of us have formal training in this area. This workshop will help to frame and start the conversation.

Speakers: Jessia Atkinson, Litza Bodden

Sponsored by Moss & Barnett

8:30 – 9:45 AM

Fostering a Culture of Mental Health & Well-being

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for executive leaders)

Promoting mental health in the workplace requires a multi-faceted approach that involves addressing both individual and organizational factors. Employers who prioritize mental health are more likely to have a productive and engaged workforce, lower absenteeism rates, and improved overall business outcomes. But where do you start? This workshop will offer a framework for further discussion with the leadership team.

Speakers: Michelle Macartney, Tricia Wyatt

Sponsored by Moss & Barnett

8:30 – 9:45 AM

(for executive leaders)

Is your next step retirement? Gather with a group of women at the same stage for an open and honest discussion about your plans, your dreams, and the complex emotions that retirement can bring up, including excitement, uncertainty, and perhaps even some fear or anxiety. You’ll find a supportive environment to share your concerns, questions, strategies and tips for navigating this life change. Maybe you’ll even leave with a new retirement sister!

Speaker: Lisa Bonalle-Hannan

Sponsored by Moss & Barnett

10 – 10:40 AM

Inspirational Closing Keynote

10 – 10:40 AM

Gemma Bulos, a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, accomplished musician, and gifted filmmaker, will candidly share her personal encounters with Imposter Syndrome and provide actionable insights on how you too can manage and ultimately conquer the feelings of Imposter Syndrome to reach your highest potential.

Prepare to be inspired, enlightened, and empowered as we unlock the secrets to banishing self-doubt and embracing your full capabilities.

Speaker: Gemma Bulos

Sponsored by SKUx

10:40 – 11 AM

Powerful Reflections Activity

10:40 – 11 AM

To close out our time together, we’ll challenge you to reflect upon what you learned and think about how you can apply it moving forward. You’ll have the chance to share your takeaways and goals with your new support system.

"Whole Shebang" teams - this is your final opportunity to bond before parting.

Speaker: Stephanie Eidelman

Sponsored by Bayview Solutions